Thought for the day: "I'm feeling super lazy today - it is like normal lazy - but I am wearing a cape!"
We have been asked by the SHPS ( Scottish Haggis Protection Society) to warn people about the dangers of Haggis Laying Season. The months of July and August are when Haggi are particularly dangerous, while protecting their newly hatched Hagglets. If you spot a brood while you are out and about exploring , please do KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE! Coastal Haggi can be particularly vicious and give you a Nasty
peck, they are very fast swimmers. But the worst ones are the rarely
seen Galloway Belted Haggi , they live in the hills and can run
particularly quickly for the species . Also watch out now for Urban
Haggi that due to changes in modern agricultural practice , come into
the town's and villages to look for turnips, ( their favourite food) .
There are many rumours that Avon skin so soft is a good Haggi Repellent
- THIS IS NOT TRUE , Every one locally knows the only thing that keeps
them way is if you suck plenty of Moffat Toffee or play loud Bagpipe
music! PLEASE DO BE CAREFUL
( pictured below , a very rare photo of a Carsphairn grey with her litter of Hagglets)
In other news - I am on dry land again after a great weekend.
Rigging
Learning : Tie the Jib with wool so you can hoist before it furls
Its alright - I am in charge
Brendan the Skipper forgets to add the sheets before taking the Jib out to the Bowsprit
Susie in her natural Habitat
Rigging and sail
a quick rest between hauling sail
the Pilgrim - 1895 - Brixham Trawler
and finally - under full sail - well at least the four that we put up
And with that - last of the "41" tonight - a little cloudy but that can only be good for you .. right ?
Thought for the day,"Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes" (Ancient Maori proverb) (After that, who cares? He's a mile away...and you have his shoes!)
And so we are back ashore after a trip into history ans into the world of 19th Century sailing. Allow me to introduce the "Pilgrim" - built in 1895 - a Brixham Trawler - still with a fishing licence but now valued at £2.4 million - and willing to take guests for an overnight trip.
This majestic and powerful vessel was rescued from almost certain loss. Pilgrim BM45 is a very important vessel, a survivor of the huge Brixham fishing fleet of the 1900’s and registered on the National Register of Historic Ships.
Re-launched after restoration by a dedicated group of volunteers and craftsmen. Care has been taken to ensure that above deck she appears as authentic as practically possible. Etched with traditions of the past, sympathetically complemented by up-to-date comfort’s of stylish modern sailing accommodation, Pilgrim BM45; the jewel in the crown of Brixham’s heritage sailing fleet!
Brixham sailing trawler PILGRIM was built in 1895, by J W & A Uphams, one of Brixham’s most famous yards. PILGRIM was one of six similar vessels built at the yard during that year. Brixham; an extremely busy Port at this time, with over 300 similar red sailed, wood built vessels: played a huge part in the development of trawling which places both Port and these famous trawlers at the pinnacle of Britain’s maritime heritage.
She is one of a Handful of Surviving red sailed, wood built Brixham Sailing Trawlers
And we had a great time. Apparently some people go on board and sit and watch the crew ... ?? !
Nope - we managed all the sail and helmed her from Falmouth across to the river and back with an overnight stay ... A good time was had by all..
Photos likely tomorrow ..
In the meantime - we are home - the chickens survived and fish and chips for tea - and a bottle of Merlot ... "Merlot??" I hear you ask?? Yes - the next batch of "41" seems to be a few days off....
Thought for the day:"The average power nap is 20 minutes. This works out well because I can fit 3 of them evenly into one hour. "
From the thoughts of one of my favourite re-enactors..
More Mr Morgan the Barber Surgeon I mean, sometimes I just can’t help it. You see, I was in Morrisons
procuring my weekly rations last eve’ when I ran into this situation in
the biscuit aisle. Pray allow me to set the scene. There were these two
obviously proud and astonishingly attentive grandparents baring down on a
toddler sitting in a trolley. Mum was heading away towards the
garibaldi’s with a look of grim determination on her fizzog and the
enthusiastic seniors were attempting to teach their infant granddaughter the gentle art of bidding her mother farewell. “Say ta-ta” they intoned together. “Go on, say ta –ta” “Saaaaay ta-ta”
All the time the kid was sitting there mute, looking around and taking
in everything that was happening in the world of commerce except that
which her grandparents wished. “Go on, go on, saaaay ta-ta to mummy” “ Taaaaa-ta” “Taaaa-ta”
By now I couldn’t resist and in passing offered a quick “ta-ta” and a
wave to which both gran and gramp looked up together, waved, and
responded loudly in unison..... “Ta-ta ! ” Mother shook her head. Kid looked, smiled and produced an amused and uni-toothed dribbly grin. I wombled on towards tinned fruit and the grandparents resolutely continued as one…..... “Say ta-ta to the man….ta-ta, ta-ta ” So, er, cheerio and …..nah, I’m not even going to say it !
Meanwhile - following on from my musings on Glastonbury Music Festival this year, I found this little item which made me laugh... A (probably fake) set of instructions for Daily Mail Photographers when attending the festival... I thought this was quite funny - but the context in which I found it on
the Book of Faces beat everything - I do not know the lady in question -
but a cut and copy makes this possible...
Bianca CooperHilarious but I find it a stretch to believe that even the Daily Fail would sink to using comic sans to type a memo.
Don't know who you are Bianca - but love this ..
Setting ready for a sail - may not be on line for a day or so.... Cheers and break out the rum !!!
Thought for the day: "She called me egotistical but I was fine with that because at least we were talking about me."
Long day int eh Provincial Chapter and Craft Meetings for West Wales up in Carmarthen - but since we were hosting was pleased with the fact that everything went very smoothly.. Good time had by all. Refrained from paying the £19.50 for the salad this time- made that mistake a week ago with the Mark Provincial Meeting - was easier as Steward...
So - ready to go sailing tomorrow ... so a quick glass of Chateau 41
Thought for the day:"If these walls could talk I bet it would be gibberish cause these walls are plastered!"
Heat wave promised ... Storms achieved. Heavy rain and humid temperatures. So, July came in with its own character. Got caught in the downpour when visiting the hospital but to be honest the rain was warm and not unpleasant.
So, first of July and time for a quick resume of the year so far.
House up for sale but no movement. Call from the Estate agents today and you can tell it is an embarrassing call for them to make - they have found no-one to look at the house in two months - however we are all in agreement that the price is right - there just are no people out there at the moment looking for this type of house. Meanwhile a number of more houses are up for sale in the area - this may be good or bad. Good - because if there is someone out there looking for the large house - then what we have to offer may be more for some people for the same money.. Bad - because there are too many houses out there - which should depress the prices but does not seem to be doing so at the moment ...
Mother in hospital, but slowly improving. Managed to walk a bit today so that is a good step forward - no pun intended. Also has a new phone which seems to be working so we have contact as well as visiting.
Dispute over the Sale of the business - no progress at present. Default of £10,000 and no communication - while continuing to trade - albeit in another name - but with all the assets of the business. All in hands of solicitors but progress is slow...
No good deed goes unpunished they say - and so it is with those we helped over the last two years. Equally distressing is the case of the couple who defaulted on their TAB and are now in a state of self-righteousness and denial - why can't people just accept responsibility for their actions and pay their debts!
I am fascinated that people who know me and enjoy my assistance and forbearance then treat this as a weakness of character. That they are suddenly surprised if I act as a business man who had thirty years experience in the Police Service to a substantial rank. Of course I am robust. Of course I object to dishonesty and lies. Of course I can investigate and get to the truth. Of course I will chase up a debt. Of course I will not back down under threat. Why be surprised ?
On the other side of the same coin, we are wonderfully supported by whole groups of people as we rebuild the lost reputation of the Crimson Moon - with the diary filling up well and plenty of interest into next year. The re-investment is paying off and I have lovely colleagues to share the pain of the return to the front.
A couple of weeks before my annual trip to Germany to Bard at Mythodea - and on this occasion an extension to go and play at Drachenfest.. The Bothy is in the garage for final fixing before the journey - had an oil change and service and needing a little welding on the rear.
And this weekend we are off sailing in a charter sail ship..
So, half way through the year and not much achieved - but life goes on and there are whales to save and washing up to be done ... I wonder what the remainder will bring us ...
Glass of "41" for a start ... and a New video form the Vale with a favourite song at the moment .. Tanja's song.. Songs from the firepit...
